Chapter 6

Thane walked ahead of me into the forest. I was a bit weary at first but I needed my answers so I followed behind him. He was angry, I could practically see it radiating off him but at the moment I didn't care. Not knowing if I was going to get my answers or my impending death, we walked for what seemed like miles.

"So you're not much of a talker are you?" I asked to break the eerie silence.

Thane seemed to cool down a bit but he was a bit of a hot head. He ignored me like I thought he would so I continued to pester him.

While we were walking, I gathered a few pebbles and began throwing them at his back. He didn't bother at first but about a few minutes later he finally turned back at me.

"You do realize that is not causing me pain right?" He rhetorically asked.

"Damn it." I muttered under my breath, but his hearing seems to be impeccable as he turned to me with a glare.

I gave him a sheepish smile and when he turned back to the trail I rolled my eyes at him.

Not giving up on my scheming I found a stick and did what I do best. Annoy the crap out of people and in this case that person was Thane Blackwood.

I began poking him all over, from his side to his back and his arm. When I went to poke his face however, he finally snapped.

He grabbed the stick and broke it in half. "That's enough!" He shouted.

"Okay then." I said timidly, afraid of his sudden outburst. I backed away slowly but he started to approach me.

I retreated back until I hit a tree. Thane took this opportunity to trap me between his arms.

"I thought these things only happen in movies..."I stuttered out because of his close proximity.

He ignored my comment and said, "You're really annoying you know that."

"My mission was a success then." I said staring into his beautiful eyes.

"Oh so you were trying to get my attention huh?" He said amused by my antics.

"There's a much differentiated meaning between seeking attention and annoying someone." I pointed out.

"Now there darling is where you're wrong. Why don't you just admit it, you feel something for me." He said with an arrogant smirk.

"You're right." I said and his smirk widened. "I strongly hate you." Now it was my turn to smirk.

He let out an animalistic growl and bared his teeth at me. "Now you really don't mean that now do you." He stated more than asked.

"I'm not scared of you." I lied to him.

"Oh you're not?" He asked in a mocking tone.

Maybe I should be, I thought. However I wasn't about to admit that and instead said, "No, I'm not. I was nearly killed by a beast so a man with sharp teeth doesn't scare me."

"Well you never know, I could more than be your beast." He raised his eyebrow at me.

"Yeah....no." I said seriously. "Never in my lifetime can I imagine you as a beast. The thought itself amuses me really. However I could imagine you as an animal, more of a raccoon of some sort." I replied with a grin.

"You should watch your mouth sweetheart, you could be lying to yourself." He replied.

"One, don't call me that and two the beast is a dog not a man so don't sell yourself short." I shot him a wink.

He growled at me and said, "So what if I said I was the beast."

"Ohhh I'm so scared, hold me." I said with my voice laced in sarcasm. "I'm not scared of you Thane, plus didn't you say you wouldn't hurt me?" I questioned.

"Haven't you heard? A promise is a fool's comfort." He repeated the exact line I said to him last night at the waterfall.

"So you're calling me a fool?!" I exasperated.

He honestly looked demented and a tad scared. "Uhm wait what? No. NO! That's not what I meant." He rushed out. The entire situation was quite amusing.

Deciding to play with his emotions I faked cried, "Oh my gosh I can't believe you called me a fool." I sniffled as I covered my eyes with my hands.

Through my fingers I could see the stupefied and panicked expression that Thane had. I luckily kept my laughter in as I saw that he moved his hands from the tree to my face.

Swiftly I ducked beneath his hands and had enough space to escape. As I eluded his grasp I turned back and shot him a smile. Must say he is one stupid guy because his face still held that confused expression.

I could've practically taste my freedom as the wind blew through my hair and I ran in a random direction in the woods. I was free and that was all that mattered.

Of course I was still confined in this illogical dress and my bare feet padded against the soil.

My body was very exhausted so I quickly became winded.

I slowed my pace because I didn't hear any footsteps behind me which means that I lost Thane. Mission successful.

As I continued on my journey I began hearing the impending footsteps I was unconsciously waiting to hear. I smiled because I was not going to find my way out here anytime soon and was glad that Thane caught up to me.

However it wasn't one set of footsteps I heard, nor did it sound like a human's. It was loud, stamping steps that trudged through the forest and sounded closer and closer to me as the seconds ticked by. Now I really wished I hadn't ran.

I stopped in my midst as I heard one of the footsteps behind me. I slowly turned around, scared beyond belief, as I faced the mysterious sound.

And there it was.

Facing me was the beast. No not the beast. This one was different. This beast had brown fur and yellow eyes. The difference was uncanny but it definitely was not the beast from the night before. It was a similar creature however, but this one had a murderous look in its eyes.

I couldn't get over that difference. Even though this creature was undeniably from the same gene as the beast, this one actually looked like it wanted to rip me to shreds. The feeling of it watching me was very unsettling.

I heard a low but fierce growl escape its huge mouth as I saw the large, jagged and sharp canine teeth bared at me.

The sight of those ferocious teeth had me squealing in fear.

I slowly backed away from the creature which I can only presume was a huge wolf. As I stepped back I felt the jab of something pointy and slightly wet and cold on my back.

When I turned around it was yet again another dog. Same color eye but different colored fur with the same murderous look. Its snout was what jabbed me in my back.

I was trembling in fear as three more of the monsters appeared out of the surrounding woods.

All five of them began circling me as if I was their prey. I had a trepidation that the varmints wanted anything but to be my friends.

Wild and crazy thoughts flooded my head as I wondered if the actual beast sent his circle of mutts to get me back or finish his deadly job.

I'm going to die. I was absolutely sure of it. Even if Thane did find me, there was nothing he could do to save me or himself.

There wasn't a bone in my body to prepare me for what these uninhabited, primitive and overgrown animals had in mind for me. I could've practically see my life flash before my eyes.

I let out an ear-piercing scream as the first monster lunged for my throat. I had my eyes shut tight waiting for the painful impact, the kiss of death and the piercing, fiery torture as it ripped through me...

But it never came.

Instead I heard a fierce vehement, booming growl and the next thing I know I was being hauled away from the scene before my eyes.

More of the creatures appeared easily out numbering the five vicious ones.

I watched as they tore each other apart, from limb to limb. I watched as the gruesome sight unfolded before me. Bloodshed splattered everywhere and decapitated bodies lay lifeless on the cold forest floor.

The horrifying images before me were unforgettable yet I could not look away.

I was dragged further and further away from the unpleasant and depressing situation. I had no idea where I was going or who I was going with but I allowed them to escort me away from the murder scene.

When we were out of sight from the horrid creatures, the person that saved me pulled me into his arms.

"Shhh. You're safe now." He hushed me as he cradled me in his arms. It was then that I realized that I was still screaming my lungs out.

"No, no, no. It's still out there. The beast is still looking for me!" I nearly shouted at him while tears stained my cheeks.

"The beast isn't out to get you Emery." He assured me.

"No! You don't understand! Those things back there, those monstrous beasts nearly killed me! It was the same vile quadruped animal that took me that night. They looked at me with such murderous eyes." I said shaking with fright in his arms as if he could protect me.

I pushed out of his embrace and looked him dead in his eyes. "You didn't see those abominations! You didn't see the evil that just surrounded their being. It wanted to kill me Thane." I told him.

A strange expression then crossed his face, a look of sadness and resentment. I was baffled by his expression but before I could say anything he pulled me back into the comfort of his hands.

"Let's get back to the house." He sighed but hurt was evident in his voice and I had no idea why.

I was utterly petrified by the experience and felt scared-stiff as if my feet couldn't move.

When Thane realized my plight, he hoisted me up bridal style and held me as if my weight was extinct.

Astonishingly enough Thane, a complete stranger, comforted me and I didn't oppose. There was something about his scent that made me feel safe, made me feel this unwanted assurance that he would protect me from anything.

I think I was gaining stockholm syndrome.

In a matter of seconds I could clearly see the bright, electric blue of the evening sky shinning down upon us and the green fern no longer in sight.

"Are we out of the woods?" I quietly questioned him.

"We sure are sweetheart." He assured me.

Those simple words made the tears stop flowing and I felt as I could finally breathe again.

He carried me towards the house and I could suddenly hear the quiet whispering of others. I didn't know who they were but as much as I wanted to escape and gain their aid, I needed answers first.

And Thane just so happened to be the only person who can provide such vital information.

I planned on getting the knowledge I seek about this creature and then getting the hell out of this place, no matter what it takes.

A/N

So glad Thane saved Emery just in time.

Also what do you guys think about Thane?

Song: Of Monsters And Men - Wolves Without Teeth

I hope you all enjoyed the chapter.

If you did enjoy the chapter then please consider:

Voting + Commenting

Read on wolfies 🐺

-Shania. 🐾